Meh. - Lead Software Engineer Ciena Employee Review

1.0
Jan 15, 2015
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

The company survives on the strength of its optical business, significantly arising from the recent acquisition of pieces of Nortel. It is significantly an Southern, East Coast company (top down management run by marketing), with particularly close relations with ATT.

Cons

Initiatives outside the main business have principally been a failure. Specifically, efforts to extend the carrier ethernet business from mobile base stations into backhaul has resulted in 4 consecutive failed platforms. The recent foray into SDN at the behest of ATT is being run like land-boom for the network management people.

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5.0
Mar 29, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good culture, support, great env.

Cons

compensation is too low and no bonus.

3.0
Jun 18, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Good work life balance, good environment

Cons

Pay is not competitive, very less stock options.

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